As part of our countdown to Rutgers football preseason camp, we’re looking at the 10 most important players to the Scarlet Knights’ success this fall. The criteria includes how much of an impact we expect each player to make, as well as how vital their presence in the Scarlet Knights’ lineup will be.

Today, we unveil the player Scarlet Scuttlebutt believes is the Scarlet Knights’ most important player.

Scott Vallone, who has started every Rutgers game the past two seasons, is the Scarlet Knights' most important player, according to Scarlet Scuttlebutt. (MyCentralJersey.com file photo)

1. Scott Vallone, nose tackle:

With the possible exception of offensive line, no position group figures to be more scrutinized this summer than the defensive line, where three of the four spots will have untested players looking to prove themselves. Converted linebacker Manny Abreu moves into one end spot, part-time starter Justin Francis steps into a featured role at rush end, and Michael Larrow will look to fend off the likes of Kenneth Kirksey, Isaac Holmes and Djwany Mera at 3-tech tackle.

Fortunately for Greg Schiano, Scott Vallone returns to anchor a d-line unit that wore down late last season — not coincidently after key backup Eric LeGrand suffered his devastating injury.

After showing promise during the 4-2 start, Rutgers’ defense was among the worst in the country in stopping the run and recording sacks over the six-game losing streak to close the season — two indictments on just how much the d-line struggled. There’s enough talent for Rutgers fans to hope for better results, but consider Vallone the key to helping all that inexperience grow.

The 6-3, 270-pound junior from Long Island, who is a near-lock to be named one of Rutgers captains this summer, is a lead-by-example type who has started every game the past two seasons. After earning Freshman All-America honors in 2009, Vallone’s production dipped as he tallied 44 tackles, including 6.5 for losses, and five quarterback hurries last fall.

Vallone should benefit from his move to nose tackle (he played 3-tech alongside Charlie Noonan last season), and this spring he showed his potential to dominate opposing centers and guards.

Factor in Vallone’s importance to a question-filled defensive line, his status among the Big East’s most proven d-tackles, his ability to lead, and the lack of depth behind him and it’s why we consider the St. Anthony (N.Y.) High product the Scarlet Knights’ most important player this season.

As part of our countdown to Rutgers football preseason camp, we’re looking at the 10 most important players to the Scarlet Knights’ success this fall. The criteria includes how much of an impact we expect each player to make, as well as how vital their presence in the Scarlet Knights’ lineup will be.

Chas Dodd's 322 passing yards versus UConn were the most by a QB making his first start in the Greg Schiano era and the second-most in a QB debut in Rutgers history. (MyCentralJersey.com file photo)

2. Chas Dodd: After arriving at Rutgers last summer as a lightly-recruited prospect, the 6-0, 197-pound Dodd quickly made his presence felt by out-playing starter Tom Savage on most days during preseason camp. After injuries shelved Savage early in the season, Dodd settled into the starting role, annointing himself as the future at the quarterback position by engineering a pair of fourth-quarter comeback wins and totaling a pair of 300-yard passing games. Overall, Dodd threw for 1,637 yards and 11 touchdowns while starting seven of the 11 games he played in as a true freshman.

Now, with Savage having transfered to Arizona, Dodd has the quarterback job all to himself.

Despite having to learn a new offense, the South Carolina native built on his impressive rookie campaign by handling every meaningful snap in spring camp.

“Learning the offense isn’t that tough,” Dodd said during spring camp. “The offense is very basic and it’s got concepts, and as soon as you get the concepts down you can piece together everything. I feel like I’m doing a pretty good job of it.”

With nearly a full season of playing time and an entire spring camp of experience under his belt, Dodd hopes to mature into one of the Big East’s elite quarterbacks this season. Depth at the position is an issue, with a pair of true freshmen, Gary Nova and Mike Bimonte, expected to compete with oft-injured senior Steve Shimko for the backup job.

So for Rutgers to have any chance to reverse its fortunes this fall, keeping a much-improved Dodd healthy will be key.

As part of our countdown to Rutgers football preseason camp, we’re looking at the 10 most important players to the Scarlet Knights’ success this fall. The criteria includes how much of an impact we expect each player to make, as well as how vital their presence in the Scarlet Knights’ lineup will be.

After moving to safety from cornerback this past spring, David Rowe earned the Douglas A. Smith Award for his efforts as Rutgers' most improved defensive player. (MyCentralJersey.com file photo)

3. David Rowe, cornerback:

It’s strange to say that Rowe, who has played in 38 games the past three seasons, including the last two years as Rutgers’ starting cornerback, finally enjoyed a breakout performance this past spring.

But that was the case as Rowe made a seamless transition in his move to free safety. Rowe, who recorded 38 tackles and five pass breakups as a junior last season, is expected to solidify a defensive backfield that features plenty of talent yet lacks game experience.

What he lacks in speed, Rowe more than makes up for in his technique and by moving to safety he should excel with all the action in front of him. The 6-0, 196-pound Rowe, who has never been afraid to deliver a hit, is also expected to be one of the leaders on Rutgers defense this fall.

As part of our countdown to Rutgers football preseason camp, we’re looking at the 10 most important players to the Scarlet Knights’ success this fall. The criteria includes how much of an impact we expect each player to make, as well as how vital their presence in the Scarlet Knights’ lineup will be.

The only reason Harrison isn’t lower on the list is due to Rutgers’ embarrassment of riches at the wide receiver position.

Still, Harrison has the potential to be one of the Big East’s best play-makers this season after breaking out with 829 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last fall.

The 6-3, 230-pounder, who reached elite status with a 10-catch, 240-yard, 4-touchdown performance at Cincinnati last season, returns as the Big East’s leading wide receiver in TDs and yards-per-reception (18.8).

Harrison proved to be a favorite target of Chas Dodd’s throughout the season, and we don’t expect that to change even with the likes of Mohamed Sanu, Brandon Coleman and Tim Wright to throw to this fall.

As part of our countdown to Rutgers football preseason camp, we’re looking at the 10 most important players to the Scarlet Knights’ success this fall. The criteria includes how much of an impact we expect each player to make, as well as how vital their presence in the Scarlet Knights’ lineup will be.

Jeremy Deering looked like a natural in his move to tailback from wideout this past spring. (MyCentralJersey.com file photo)

5. Jeremy Deering, running back

Deering lived up to his billing as a top-tier recruit last fall, hauling in 16 passes for 338 yards and rushing for 352 more out of the Wildcat. But like Mohamed Sanu, Deering’s Wildcat role figures to be non-existent in Rutgers’ Pro-style attack this fall.

Unlike Sanu, Deering figures to have more of a dual-threat role after being moved to tailback this spring. Deering looked like a natural in his new role, drawing comparisons from coach Greg Schiano to former NFL rushing king Eric Dickerson due to his 6-2, 203-pound frame and ability to shed tackles.

The soft-handed Deering also figures to catch plenty of swing passes out of the backfield — another way new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti should be able to utilize his game-breaking speed.

As a true freshman, Deering compiled 690 all-purpose yards and scored three times. Don’t be surprised if those numbers double this fall.

As part of our countdown to Rutgers football preseason camp, we’re looking at the 10 most important players to the Scarlet Knights’ success this fall. The criteria includes how much of an impact we expect each player to make, as well as how vital their presence in the Scarlet Knights’ lineup will be.

Mohamed Sanu has accumulated 1,790 all-purpose yards through his first two seasons, but he's expected to relinquish his Wildcat role in Rutgers' Pro-style offense this fall. (MyCentralJersey.com file photo)

6. Mohamed Sanu, wide receiver

If Rutgers still had the Wildcat wrinkle in its offense, Sanu would likely be No. 1 on the list. But now that the run-gun play has been shelved in Frank Cignetti’s Pro-style offense, Sanu figures to have fewer touches in Rutgers’ attack this season.

Sure, he may still be a vital part of Rutgers’ offense while focusing on his wide receiver position. He may be the odd’s on favorite to lead the team in receptions. But with quarterback Chas Dodd having a wealth of targets at his disposal, chances are no receiver will have more than 50 catches this season.

Still, don’t be surprised if Sanu ends up being a vital part of Rutgers’ offense. It was only a year ago that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said his chief goal — regardless of offensive formation — was to get his play-makers the ball. Sanu, who has proven to be one of college football’s most versatile players, has proven his abilities to throw, run with and catch the ball.

The bottom line is there’s a place for Sanu in any offense, including this year’s Pro-style attack.

As part of our countdown to Rutgers football preseason camp, we’re looking at the 10 most important players to the Scarlet Knights’ success this fall. The criteria includes how much of an impact we expect each player to make, as well as how vital their presence in the Scarlet Knights’ lineup will be.

Khaseem Greene ranked fourth among Rutgers defenders with 77 tackles in addition to recording a team-best three interceptions and four forced fumbles last season. (Photo by Jason Towlen/MyCentralJersey.com)

7. Khaseem Greene, linebacker

At first glance, it may be surprising to see Greene, who was one of the Scarlet Knights’ top playmakers at free safety last season, now playing at the weakside linebacker spot. But for as undersized as the 6-1, 215-pounder may be at linebacker, his speed and athleticism should make him an ideal player for Rutgers’ swarming defense.

The fourth-year junior, who recorded 77 tackles and a team-best three interceptions in 2010, will still be asked to drop back in coverage from the weakside spot. But by moving several yards closer to the line of scrimmage, his ball-hawking ability should help the Big East’s worst statistical rush defense stop the run more effectively.

As part of our countdown to Rutgers football preseason camp, we’re looking at the 10 most important players to the Scarlet Knights’ success this fall. The criteria includes how much of an impact we expect each player to make, as well as how vital their presence in the Scarlet Knights’ lineup will be.

Steve Beauharnais recorded 79 tackles, including six for losses, as a sophomore last fall. (MyCentralJersey.com file photo)

8. Steve Beauharnais, linebacker

After starting all 12 games at middle linebacker, Beauharnais was moved back to the strongside ‘backer spot in a series of position switches Greg Schiano made to make his defense faster this spring. It’s a move the junior from Saddle Brook is familiar with, and one that should showcase his pass-rushing skills greatly.

As a freshman, Beauharnais was one of the top newcomers in the Big East, recording 36 tackles and five sacks while playing all 13 games. Last season, Beaharnais’ performance dipped. Despite ranking third on the team in tackles (79), Beauharnais was in the middle of a defense that allowed seven rushers to eclipse the 100-yard plateau.

Should he get back to his freshman-year form, the 6-2, 230-pound junior certainly has the potential to be one of the elite defensive players in the Big East this fall.

As part of our countdown to Rutgers football preseason camp, we’re looking at the 10 most important players to the Scarlet Knights’ success this fall. The criteria includes how much of an impact we expect each player to make, as well as how vital their presence in the Scarlet Knights’ lineup will be.

San San Te ranked sixth in the Big East among kickers in scoring after making 14 of 20 field goals and all 26 of his extra points last fall. (Photo by Augusto F. Menezes/MyCentralJersey.com)

9. San San Te, placekicker

Few placekickers in college football head into the 2011 season with more big-game experience than Te, a fifth-year senior who has handled the Scarlet Knights’ kicking duties since ’08. While he is coming off a subpar campaign in which he booted just 70 percent (14 of 20) field goals, Te — now two years removed from back surgery — looked primed for a big senior season following a solid spring.

Inside 40 yards, Te’s accuracy is unquestioned. But beyond 40, Te missed five of his seven tries. It’s a question Te heard throughout the spring and will continue to be quizzed on until he proves reliable from long-range.

“”Obviously any kicker would want kicks they’d want back,” said Te, who enters the season three field goals shy of moving past Kennan Startzell (46 from 1976-79) and into second place behind Jeremy Ito (80 from 2004-07) on Rutgers’ all-time field goals list. “”The only thing I could do from that is learn from them. I’ve done it over and over again in practice and in games, and I’ve made those types of (40-plus yard) kicks in the past so it’s about being smooth and having confidence and I feel like they’re going to go in.”

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